FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of October 2006

Commission File Number 001-15092


TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI A.S.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Turkcell Plaza
Mesrutiyet Caddesi No. 153
34430 Tepebasi
Istanbul, Turkey
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F

Form 20-F:   ý      Form 40-F:   o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):                

  Note:  Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):                

  Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes:  o      No:  ý

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b) 82 —          






 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

TURKCELL’S SUBSCRIBER BASE REACHES 30.8 MILLION

 

Istanbul, Turkey: October 13, 2006 – Turkcell (NYSE: TKC, ISE: TCELL), the leading provider of mobile communications in Turkey, announced today that its total number of subscribers reached 30.8 million as of September 30, 2006. This corresponds to an increase of 3.3% from 29.8 million as of June 30, 2006 and an increase of 15.3% from 26.7 million as of September 30, 2005. Turkcell’s subscriber base consists of 5.7 million postpaid and 25.1 million prepaid subscribers.

 

Turkcell added approximately 1.0 million net new subscribers in the third quarter of 2006. New gross subscribers acquired in the third quarter of 2006 consisted of 91% prepaid and 9% postpaid subscribers.

 

In the third quarter of 2006, Turkcell’s churn rate increased to 4.1%, compared to 3.6% in the second quarter of 2006, mainly due to overall high market growth in the previous quarters and competition. Turkcell expects to lower quarterly churn rate for the fourth quarter of 2006 as a result of its segmented retention and loyalty programs as well as proactive churn prevention activities.

 

The subscriber acquisition growth trend during the third quarter of 2006 has remained strong. During this period, Turkcell introduced several campaigns and programs targeting various segments in line with its strategy. Turkcell continues its focus of maintaining leading position in the market through underlining its brand values and better value for money propositions.

 

 

 

www.turkcell.com.tr

 

About Turkcell

Turkcell is the leading GSM operator in Turkey with 30.8 million post-paid and pre-paid customers as of September 30, 2006 operating in a three player market with a market share of approximately 62% as of March 31, 2006 (Source: Telecommunication Authority). In addition to the high-quality wireless telephone services, Turkcell currently offers General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) countrywide and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) in dense areas, which provide for both improved data and voice

 





 

services. Turkcell provides roaming with 535 operators in 193 countries as of October 6, 2006. Serving a large subscriber base in Turkey with its high-quality wireless telephone network, Turkcell reported US$4,528 million net revenues as of December 31, 2005 and US$2,297 million net revenue for the six months as of June 30, 2006 (in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards). Turkcell has interests in international GSM operations in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Northern Cyprus and Ukraine. Turkcell has been listed on the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) and the ISE (Istanbul Stock Exchange) since July 2000 and is the only NYSE listed company in Turkey. 51.00% of Turkcell’s share capital is held by Turkcell Holding, 13.29% by Cukurova Group, 13.07%, by Sonera Holding, 5.07% by M.V. Group and 0.01% by others while the remaining 17.56% is free float.

 

For further information please contact:

Contact:

Turkcell:
Investors:
Koray Ozturkler, Investor Relations
Tel: +90-212-313-1500
Email: koray.ozturkler@turkcell.com.tr

Ferda Atabek, Investor Relations
Tel: + 90-212-313-1275
Email: ferda.atabek@turkcell.com.tr

investor.relations@turkcell.com.tr

Media:
Bahar Erbengi, Corporate Communications
Tel: + 90-212-313-2309
Email: bahar.erbengi@turkcell.com.tr
Citigate Dewe Rogerson:
Europe:
Sandra Novakov
Tel: +44-207282-1089
Email: sandra.novakov@citigatedr.co.uk
or
United States:
Victoria Hofstad
Tel: +1-212-687-8080
Email: vhofstad@sardverb.com





 






SIGNATURES

                    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI A.S.


Date:  October 16, 2006 By:  /s/ Koray Ozturkler          
Name:  Koray Ozturkler
Title:    Head of Investor Relations


TURKCELL ILETISIM HIZMETLERI A.S.


Date:  October 16, 2006 By:  /s/ Ferda Atabek          
Name:  Ferda Atabek
Title:    Investor Relations Officer